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T. Zamlunmang Zou
Preface
This research emerged from my professional engagement with participatory
development planning under the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM)[1].
As a Block Mission Manager, I initially undertook the mobilisation of Self-Help
Group (SHG) members and non-SHG households to ensure their active participation
in the preparation of the Village Prosperity Resilience Plan (VPRP)[2]
in Imphal East, where the Panchayati Raj system provides an established
institutional framework for local development planning.
The VPRP process encompasses five important components: Entitlement Plan; Social Inclusion and Social Development; Public Goods and Services; Resource Development; and Livelihoods. Through field-level experience, it became apparent that the first two components - entitlements, social inclusion and social development - could be pursued comparatively effectively through convergence and partnership with concerned line departments, government institutions and other service-delivery agencies. However, the remaining components, particularly public goods and services, resource development and livelihood promotion, require a more systematic institutional approach involving planning, prioritisation, resource allocation, technical support, implementation and monitoring by the government.
